2023 legislative review
Transportation
Michael Ennis : Transportation , Land Use , Telecom and Rural Vitality
It was a quieter legislative session for transportation following the passage of the $ 17 billion Move Ahead Washington package in 2022 . Even so , the Legislature earned some positive marks for backfilling lost funding in the 2015 Connecting Washington package . Transportation infrastructure is critical for economic development and trade , and many projects were already underway . Looking ahead , there are longer term concerns about revenue shortfalls and workforce challenges that lawmakers will need to consider in the coming years .
The Legislature ’ s 2023-2025 transportation budget also includes $ 120 million in Climate Commitment Act funds to incentivize the transition to clean commercial vehicles , an AWB priority . AWB supports incentives for businesses to switch to cleaner fuels . Last November , AWB sent a letter to legislative leaders raising concerns about the feasibility of mandating 100 % zero-emissions cars by 2035 . There will be impacts to the supply chain and to existing state fuel tax revenues that will need to be addressed .
Once again lawmakers proposed a road usage charge , also known as a pay-by-mile system , to replace lost gas tax revenue as consumers transition to electric and other alternative fueled vehicles . AWB insists that any revenue streams that replace a gas tax should be protected by the 18th Amendment , which ensures its used for highway purposes . A revenue system that replaces a gas tax should be treated in the same way . The bill did not make it out of committee , but it is likely to return again next session .
Lawmakers also adopted an incentive program for sustainable aviation fuels ( SAF ). The bill provides tax incentives to spur production of SAF in Washington , with the goal to scale up production and reduce emissions in the commercial aviation sector . Airlines testified that SAF is critical to helping them eventually reach their goal of zero emissions , but they face supply constraints and high prices . The bill will help the aviation sector achieve net-zero but also jumpstart a new manufacturing industry in Washington . AWB was part of a broad coalition of industry and organized labor groups that backed the bill , which passed the Legislature with overwhelming support .
Mike Ennis is AWB ’ s government affairs director for transportation , infrastructure and housing , among other issue areas .
HB 1125 transportation budget
Passed / AWB Neutral sponsor : Rep . Jake Fey , D-Tacoma
The Legislature approved a $ 13.4 billion transportation budget for the 2023-2025 biennium . The budget fully funds infrastructure projects in the 2015 Connecting Washington package for the next six years . Infrastructure improvements are critical to economic development and commerce . In future budget cycles , lawmakers will need to consider revenue shortfalls and workforce shortages as they plan out future transportation projects . The budget also includes $ 120 million in Climate Commitment Act funding to incentivize the switch to cleaner fuels in medium- and heavy-duty trucks .
38 association of washington business